The 2013 Whole Language Umbrella Literacies for All Summer Institute, July 18-20

Jointly Sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the Whole Language Umbrella, with Support from the Center for Expansion of Language and Thinking (CELT)

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … “Authentic Literacy Events and Social Actions: Celebrating Relationships and Partnerships” is the theme of the 24th Whole Language Umbrella (WLU) Literacies for All Summers Institute. Hofstra University is hosting the event, marking the first time the summer institute has been held on a college campus.

Teachers representing every grade through graduate education from across the country will be in attendance to discuss progressive literacy practices.

Hofstra Professors of Literacy Studies Debra Goodman and Alan Flurkey are the conference co-chairs, and Dr. Goodman is the president elect of the association. Hofstra professors, graduate students and alumni make up a sizable percentage of the Summer Institute presenters.

Additionally, Yetta and Ken Goodman, who are two of the most important scholars in the field of reading research, will be participating in this event. Panel topics include:

• Responses to the Corporate Takeover of Public Education: Stories of Agency and Actions (Preconference Workshop)• Transforming K-12 Schools into Safe Academic Environments for Children Whose Adverse Life Experiences Compel Us to Create for Them a More Just and Caring World• Creating a Balanced Literacy Curriculum in the 21st Century• Teaching LGBT Topics in the Elementary and Secondary Classrooms: Strategies for Change• Confessions of a Literacy Coach: Implementing Principles of Whole Language Instruction in Federally Mandated Programs• The Reconstruction of the Read Aloud: Student Engagement Being Removed from the Equation• The Power of Ideas: Personal and Social Transformation through Writing• Just Let Me Teach: Tales of Insanity and Resistance within a Culture of Growth Models of Teacher Evaluation and Corporate Driven Attacks on Public Schools• Keeping Social Action Alive Through Picture Books• Using Authors as Mentors to Inspire Children’s Writing

On Friday, July 19, from 1-2:15 p.m. there will be a luncheon in recognition of retiring Hofstra Literacy Studies Professor Denny Taylor, who has been engaged in ethnographic literacy research since 1977 with her landmark study of family literacy. She has written nine books and numerous articles and chapters on literacy in family, school and community settings. She has won many awards and was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2004. Dr. Taylor’s current transdisciplinary research focuses on the human impact on global Earth systems and the impact of catastrophic events on the lives of children. Her field work includes research in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Her recent articles and presentations are available at DennyTaylor.com.

For more information on the conference, registration, fees, the presenters and the topics to be discussed, visit the website for the National Council of Teachers of English – www.ncte.org/wlu/institute.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 11,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, applied science, communication, education, health sciences and human services, honors studies, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.